I think it's time to sort some things up! The former thread I used for posting videos is now completely out of control. It lasted for years and I hope people enjoyed it but I didn't expect it to become that big (500+ messages, 50K views, etc.) and... so messy! Besides, I deleted many videos, now lost for ever.

Therefore, I have decided to start a new one!. Some day, I'll be too old for all those things and it's time for me to post some videos while I still can perform some moves. I sincerely hope that, here, we'll talk about those videos only. I don't mind digressing a bit, but please stay on topic as much as you can :).

I won't delete them that time, they'll stay publicly accessible as long as I stay on the Gambling Spot.

For the first one, a very close view of me practising the Drop Switch move. As you can see, I suck a bit, for my hands are not ideal for manipulating the cubes. It's still funny to do though. I just started a few months ago and usually I wouldn't post something I don't master but hey, it's a start!

Hi Arnold. Thanks for sharing your video.
I have zero experience in playing dice. So only from the audience's perspective, I think it looks good. The only thing is that, when dropping to roll dice, aren't they supposed to be lifted and dropped from the mid air? In this video, it looks like you were rolling the dice right on the surface of the table.
Are you going to use it to hustle or is this only a hobby for fun.

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Posted by: Peterson (Sep 13, 2017 01:05PM)

Nice demo and execution. This particular move, or this specific camera angle, or the quality of the camera, downgrades the video a little bit, because the color of the palmed dice flashes thru. Looks less "magical" lol.

Anyways, now you are officially in the list for Yonkers Joe 2.

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Posted by: AMcD (Sep 13, 2017 01:55PM)

You're absolutely right, the dice are supposed to drop! But I have some excuse. In order to drop them, it would be much easier for me to stand up. Much easier. But because the cam is very close, you would see not much. I wanted a close-up view, so... I decided to switch them at the table level. I like close views, I'm too used to old videos where you see nothing, you know, old experts on VHS tapes where you hardly see the color of the cards :p. Just kidding.

I'll try a better demo soon.

No, I won't try to hustle anybody with it, lol. I don't wanna die.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Sep 13, 2017 09:30PM)

[quote]On Sep 13, 2017, AMcD wrote:
...The former thread I used for posting videos is now completely out of control...

Therefore, I have decided to start a new one!...but please stay on topic as much as you can :).

For the first one, a very close view of me practicing the Drop Switch move. As you can see, I suck a bit, for my hands are not ideal for manipulating the cubes.

Good idea starting a new thread, Arnold. The old one was getting to be too unwieldy at this point and the new thread is like a rebirth and you can start afresh.

Even though you say, "I suck a bit" when manipulating the cubes, you are still better than most of the people who attempt this.

Really not bad at all. Might want to try to control your thumb from sticking out so much on the completion of the move though. As long as you don't throw out three dice instead of two, you are home free because doing so might be even harder to explain than dealing the cut card on the Greek bottom deal. :)

Nice work as always Arnold.

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Posted by: SimonCard (Sep 13, 2017 09:43PM)

Hi Arnold. Since you started this new thread for your videos. I sincerely ask if you have the plan to re-shoot or re-post some of the moves I missed in your old thread, especially your bottom deal, a certain shift, and your version of the Steven's control (which you apparently shot it to show another guy the right way to do it). All these videos got deleted when I found the posts.
Thanks.

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Posted by: Card_Flips (Sep 14, 2017 12:24AM)

Happy to see the fresh start of this!

I'll have to watch on my computer as the link doesn't seem to work on my phone

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Posted by: MarcoLostSomething (Sep 14, 2017 04:28AM)

Nice idea! Also I quote Simon, it'll be interesting to see old things I've missed.
Plus it'll be also good for me to learn, try and pratice things I've overlooked or never knew in the first place. And maybe record them and share them with you guys, it should be fun! (i'll try not to stuff your thread too much... maybe :D)
Also dice! They say dice men are dice men, and card men are card men... it's probably true but I find them fascinating as well.
I've always wanted to experiment with them, but I should buy some professional casino dice.
What can I say, I like to challenge myself, happy to see some stuff, I will as gladly try to show my own efforts

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Posted by: AMcD (Sep 14, 2017 07:26AM)

Thanks for the comments boys!

@SimonCard & MarcoLostSomething

Yep, nice idea. I'll re-shoot some old videos. Their quality was not that good though. Nowadays, 720p or 1080p quality is easy to get. So, it's a good opportunity. I hope I still can do all the sleights :). For Instance, it's now 2 or even 3 years that I don't practice bottom dealing, as it was a complete obsolete move for me. We'll see how rusted I am!

@Cag

That cut card dealt... Still a nightmare lol. About the dice, I started to practice some moves in April this year, I'm 100% a beginner. I'll work on that thumb, I didn't even notice it was protruding that much after the switch. Thanks!

Thanks tegib! It's good to read that at least one people like it lol. [/quote]

Everyone likes it Arnold. It just that you render us all speechless with envy. :smiletear:

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Posted by: SimonCard (Oct 2, 2017 10:52AM)

Just watched it on facebook. Looks great as always. I practiced using Arnold's drill and I wrote a short code to generate an array of random numbers between 1 to 8 to practice on, so the number of cards that need to be stacked is random.

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Posted by: JFX (Oct 2, 2017 10:56AM)

Smooth and without hesitation as always Arnold!
Great to see you're back posting.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Oct 2, 2017 11:56AM)

Arnold, can you stack more than just the top card of the deck?

Just joking... :goof:

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 2, 2017 12:42PM)

Thanks!

@Cag

Come on, you know that one card is enough. More than enough. You can make millions just stacking one card. Millions. At least, that's what I read in some places.

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Posted by: tommy (Oct 3, 2017 04:57PM)

Thanks, Arnold.

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Posted by: Dannydoyle (Oct 5, 2017 04:26PM)

[quote]On Oct 2, 2017, AMcD wrote:
Thanks!

@Cag

Come on, you know that one card is enough. More than enough. You can make millions just stacking one card. Millions. At least, that's what I read in some places. [/quote]

Actually this is true. This is the dirty little secret.

The control or knowledge of position of one card is an amazing advantage and the control of all the cards in the hand is magic tricks and Hollywood movie stuff.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 6, 2017 12:17PM)

Why not? Talking about myself here, but I think 2 is really the bare minimum. In fact in most cases we needed 3...

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Posted by: tommy (Oct 6, 2017 09:57PM)

Controlling one card is essentially the only thing we have found practical and safe in a professional poker game. The amount of edge it gave us was greater in the hands of the professional player who played it. I mean I am not a professional player and the edge would not have been so good if I had been the player rather than the dealer.

In amateur games we have done a little more because the procedures and circumstances were different.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 6, 2017 10:59PM)

Frankly, stacking 2 cards has never been such a great trouble for me...

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Posted by: tommy (Oct 6, 2017 11:22PM)

Staking a pair in Omaha, which is the cash game of choice here, is no great advantage anyway. If staking a pair in Holden undetectably while at the same conforming to the normal procedures of professional game has never been such a great trouble for you, then you ought to be a multimillionaire.

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Posted by: TH10111 (Oct 7, 2017 05:38AM)

The amount of value that can be extracted from a given edge is certainly proportional to the players skill at playing the game, but maximising the illicit edge that can be gained is proportional to the players ability to cheat undetected.

A good player should be able to get the money with little to no advantage, but if they can increase that advantage with no additional risk, why wouldn't they?

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 7, 2017 08:02AM)

@tommy

I'm fed up of that kind of talking, really. You "professionals" bore me with your procedures that nobody (supposedly) can beat and your games where millions can be made!

I played AMATEURS games. Is that word hard to get? We din't play for millions. But we used 3 or 4 riffles, a both hands released cut, cut cards, plastic decks, etc. The main difference with your professional world is the lack of running cut, hardly seen in our games and the number of riffles, which is not technically limited (you can see 4 or even 5 riffles). For the rest, what do you think, that amateurs players are clowns? There is very little difference with you superior world you know, players are not allowed to play with the dead wood, the dealer is not allowed to hold the deck during a round, the player at the right of the dealer cuts, the one at his left deals. Very often we used 2 decks simultaneously too. Any player can re-shuffle the deck (and they do, trust me), etc.

The problem with Omaha is the huge number of cards needed if you want to stack 3 cards, which requires a faro in order to make it doable. I admit I wouldn't probably try a faro in professional environment, but for 2 cards it's the same than stacking for Hold'em, Razz or 7-Stud. I showed my technique to a few guys working for security in casinos. I suppose it's enough a professional environment for you? And ALL said that, unfortunately for them, it would probably beat them in most of the cases.

Why don't you guys open a forum dedicated to so-called "PROFESSIONALS"?

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Oct 7, 2017 01:06PM)

[quote]On Oct 7, 2017, AMcD wrote:

@tommy

I'm fed up of that kind of talking, really. You "professionals" bore me with your procedures that nobody (supposedly) can beat and your games where millions can be made!

I played AMATEURS games. Is that word hard to get?... The main difference with your professional world is the lack of running cut, hardly seen in our games and the number of riffles, which is not technically limited (you can see 4 or even 5 riffles). For the rest, what do you think, that amateurs players are clowns?...

The problem with Omaha is the huge number of cards needed if you want to stack 3 cards...

I showed my technique to a few guys working for security in casinos. I suppose it's enough a professional environment for you? And ALL said that, unfortunately for them, it would probably beat them in most of the cases.

Why don't you guys open a forum dedicated to so-called "PROFESSIONALS"? [/quote]

Working hustlers in "professional" games (poker games in casinos and professionally run card rooms) rarely make millions. Of course, one would have to qualify the word, "professionals." Are we talking about well-known professional players who [i]apparently[/i] or for the most part play "on the square," appear on TV, win tournaments, write books and make videos, or are we talking about working hustlers or "cheats" who beat professional games for a living?

Working hustlers in professional poker games are really playing a grind for the most part, with exceptions of course. They can make good money, this is how they make their living, in whole or in part, it pays the rent, buys food and gives them a decent live style. Not lavish, but decent. These guys would LOVE to play in private big stake games, if only they could find them and if only they could get invited to the games. For the most part, cheating at poker in a "professional" casino environment would not use the methods talked about and bandied around on this forum. For really professional games, it is simply not done that way for the most part. (Of course, there can always be an exception here or there.) It does matter how sharp or dumb surveillance is. if you are going up against the cameras, in general you must use different methods other than pure sleight of hand because if suspected they will just keep playing the tape back over and over again until they figure out what happened.

As far as security guards go, they are usually not conversant with card table moves as they are basically cops employed by the casino to arrest, keep the order, quell the unruly and protect the house and patrons.

I should also add that a "move" done as a demonstration, in singularity without the entirety of all the elements of the play being incorporated, without the danger and consequences of being caught and without real money being ventured is little more than an entertainment, amusement or instruction, especially if the observer has been informed as to what is being attempted. It is basically a magic trick of sorts or a demonstration of skill or technique, not of courage, grift sense or accomplished deception under fire and is different from going for or getting the money.

Private games, whether easy or difficult to beat are a completely different world. I would LOVE to find a good private game. I played in them years ago and they were great, especially steer games. Mostly coolers at the right time and in some games simply stacking the cards worked very well. Coolers were the best though regardless of what Erdnase said. Rules in private games vary greatly but it doesn't matter what the rules are, either strict or lax. You just have to find the weakness or angle to exploit. One angle is usually enough to get the job done in many games and quite frankly it is often not hard to find or to do.

Some amateur player ARE clowns, a small number are somewhat sharp especially when it comes to common everyday moves and methods. But moves and methods are only a small part of the overall picture...and there always is a paddle to beat someone's ass, even mine. You just have to know what it is in the situation you are playing and have the guts and grift sense to use it. In my opinion, although professional or amateur hustlers are considered by some to be "heroes" to praise or emulate, for the most part it is a pretty crappy and dirty way to make a living and some of them (not all), are just useless bums.

Finally, (did Cag say "finally") rather than a Professional forum, can we setup up one I could qualify for, like [i]Old Maid Pros[/i] or perhaps a [i]Monopoly Experts[/i] BB. I'd like that.

The rest of this stuff is deep and too serious for me. :goof:

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Posted by: Dannydoyle (Oct 9, 2017 07:19PM)

I am sorry if that ruffled a feather. I seriously didn't mean to.

I am only saying that knowing the position of just one card is a huge advantage, and plenty to get the money.

AMcD sorry.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Oct 9, 2017 08:05PM)

I remember Jackie Newton, now deceased, a very capable hustler back in the day of single deck BJ games and card counting used to play the location of one single card very effectively. What he would do is place a somewhat strong bend in one of the fives, that is all. If the house found it, they would simply attribute it to an accidental bend as why woldl some one bend a five, and only one card and what good would it do. Well for Jackie it was a big help.

First of all, knowing where the five was in the deck enabled him to adjust his count right off the top, For example, if the five was say halfway down in the deck, he knew he had a one-half percent the best of it right off the top. That percentage increased as the deck depleted. If he nailed the burn or bottom card, he could have as much as 1.5% off the top. There were other advantages that accrued based upon that knowledge but we will leave it at that.

Did he make millions from knowing that one thing. Of course not. But he played for big numbers and over the course of time made very significant money playing the count and adding other little advantages he could obtain.

I think most would be amazed to see a big play and try to figure out what was happening. I would suggest the play would be different than most would think or expect. Common well know sleight of hand moves just don't cut it at the higher levels and for the bigger plays for the most part. Once again, there can always be an exception here or there, but not usually.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 9, 2017 09:54PM)

@Dannydoyle

No worries. You should know that everything here is a possible starting point for endless debates. Sometimes, some are very interesting.

Obviously, knowing one card can provide a tremendous advantage in games like BJ. But, in my mind, I always think about Hold'Em. My fault. In games like HE, well, of course you can kill one card and get some advantage out of it. But, out of the blue, I wouldn't bet that knowing one card gives a terrific edge for such games. Of course, I should do some computations before saying that. I just have no time for it.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 10, 2017 03:43PM)

This is video #3!

A few table one-riffle stacks. Note that I don't go fast, I try to have a smooth pace instead:

Very masterful Arnold. I can't do that...but then again I don't have to.

Nice work as usual.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 10, 2017 07:29PM)

Thanks Cag.

I think I'm gonna film new Faro videos for the next time and post them here. I don't know where I left the former ones, but it's OK, I can do Faros when I want :).

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Posted by: Mr. Bones (Oct 10, 2017 11:24PM)

That was bloody excellent Arnold.
Smooth, and unless I've lost my vision - there were zero edits in your clip.

You hit every one!

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Posted by: MarcoLostSomething (Oct 11, 2017 02:08AM)

Nice! I can't do that either!

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Posted by: Claudio (Oct 11, 2017 04:36AM)

Very smooth indeed!

One question: do you riffle stack by feel alone, or do you look at the deck? Just curious.

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Posted by: tommy (Oct 11, 2017 07:08AM)

Thank you kindly, that was a very interesting “move” done as a demonstration, in singularity without the entirety of all the elements of the play being incorporated, without the danger and consequences of being caught and without real money being ventured which was little more than an entertainment, amusement or instruction, especially as the observer had been informed as to what is being attempted. Which was basically a magic trick of sorts or a demonstration of skill or technique, not of courage, grift sense or accomplished deception under fire and is different from going for or getting the money. :)

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 11, 2017 08:03AM)

Thanks my friends.

@Bones

Editing... The plague of our times :(. When you see a world champion of Magic editing his videos... Not to mention Youtube, with thousands of faked videos. I more and more incorporate a stopwatch in my videos, in order to avoid suspicion as much as possible. I also tend to repeat the moves 2 or 3 times. Faking, editing for claiming you do something that you can't is something going above my brain cells. Well, it's 2017.

@Claudio

For normal riffle stacking and for holding back 1, 2, 3 or 4 cards, I hardly look. For 5, 6 I think I take a look, 75% of the time :). For 7+ 100% of the time. For split stacking, above 4 I take a look almost every time.

@tommy

I'm just showing a drill. Even if it's little more than an entertainment it's still far much more than what you have ever shown here, basically nothing. At all.

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Posted by: Claudio (Oct 11, 2017 08:27AM)

Thanks AMcD. So do I look when I retain more than 6 cards as the difference between 7 or 8 cards is very hard to tell, for me that is. I am not as fluid as you though.

I believe Tommy was paying you a compliment by parodying Cag's style and favourite pet subject ;)

We might all become a bit defensive on this board.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Oct 11, 2017 09:13AM)

[quote]On Oct 11, 2017, tommy wrote:
Thank you kindly, that was a very interesting "move" done as a demonstration, in singularity without the entirety of all the elements of the play being incorporated, without the danger and consequences of being caught and without real money being ventured which was little more than an entertainment, amusement or instruction, especially as the observer had been informed as to what is being attempted. Which was basically a magic trick of sorts or a demonstration of skill or technique, not of courage, grift sense or accomplished deception under fire and is different from going for or getting the money. :) [/quote]

@Tommy: If you are going to use my brilliantly styled and crafted prose, presumable out of admiration, at least put them in quotations, cite the authorship and do so without editing my pristine perfection. :rolleyes:

What do they say about imitation...the sincerest form of flattery??? :yippee:

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Posted by: Mr. Bones (Oct 11, 2017 09:14AM)

If you look at the very end of Tommy's post, you'll see a little "smiley face", which speaks volumes in this case.

Indeed, and although it was almost too cleverly couched in Cag's writing style, Tommy was executing a somewhat brilliant parody of Cag's posting proclivities.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 11, 2017 09:45AM)

I'm not judging the prose, I'm judging its cause.

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Posted by: Dannydoyle (Oct 11, 2017 10:04AM)

[quote]On Oct 9, 2017, AMcD wrote:
@Dannydoyle

No worries. You should know that everything here is a possible starting point for endless debates. Sometimes, some are very interesting.

Obviously, knowing one card can provide a tremendous advantage in games like BJ. But, in my mind, I always think about Hold'Em. My fault. In games like HE, well, of course you can kill one card and get some advantage out of it. But, out of the blue, I wouldn't bet that knowing one card gives a terrific edge for such games. Of course, I should do some computations before saying that. I just have no time for it. [/quote]

Knowing the position of one card in Hold Em is an advantage yes. Well controlling it that is to say.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 24, 2017 04:40PM)

Video #4! A demo of a negatively stripped card in slow motion and high definition. Don't tell me I don't like you!

AMcD, you may be the only person on the planet that can do that. Have you contacted [i]The Guinness Book of World Records[/i] for insertion?

I figured it out though. It is the weight of all those rings that enables you to apply the subtle counter pressure needed to make the pull.

Just kidding of course.

Very impressive...but...can you do it while wearing gloves...just in case you are "working" in a cold climate?

Reason I ask is know guy in the Yukon who can do the pull wearng heavy gloves. Of course, his notch is 1 inch and not 1/128th of an inch but hey, give him a break. He's wearing gloves.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 24, 2017 05:55PM)

You not the first one kidding about that 1/128th of an inch.

But you know, in the past (when I was still a green horn) I read many bragging about the size of the marks for their NS, and I read things like 1/32th or 1/64th of an inch. I was impressed because it seems tiny but in reality it's absolutely awful, a blind badger could spot those marks from planet Venus.

I also remember a photo of some auction, where a deck made by Zarrow for Dai Vernon (or was it the opposite?) was sold. It was even more awful, the marks were visible from the Messier 81 galaxy.

It took me years of practice, but in good condition I can feel marks which are barely visible, whatever the angle, the light, etc.

It's unfortunately for demo only. It would be unpractical for real games. Even my amateur games. I'm afraid NS are mostly a Magician's stuff.

It's fun to do anyway.

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Posted by: MarcoLostSomething (Oct 24, 2017 06:43PM)

Next step: separate just the outer atoms.
Do you have a cutting machine?

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Oct 24, 2017 09:31PM)

[quote]On Oct 24, 2017, AMcD wrote:

...It took me years of practice, but in good condition I can feel marks which are barely visible, whatever the angle, the light, etc.

It's unfortunately for demo only. It would be unpractical for real games. Even my amateur games. I'm afraid NS are mostly a Magician's stuff...[/quote]

I agree Arnold. I would be very apprehensive using this type work under fire. Let's face it, on a practical level, decks will become worn and sticky in play so work that is much more obvious [i]has[/i] to be used.

In never have been a fan of stripper decks, but if I had to use one, after I was fairly certain it would fly in the situation it was being employed, I would feel much more confident with regular concave strippers. The notch work just seems to stand out more because of the short length of the cut unless the notch is minute. If the notch is minute, it probably won't stand up for long in actual play.

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Posted by: AMcD (Oct 24, 2017 10:09PM)

@Cag

With plastic cards, things get better though but, anyway, it's not my stuff either. Stripping the cards casually is very hard to do under scrutiny, there's a big tell, whatever the type and the location of the marks. Everything being possible, I don't doubt it's already been used for getting some money but, frankly, you need players not really cautious. I prefer stacking. By a distance.

@Marco.

A cutting machine. Hahaha. Just imagine bringing a tool around the card tables... I had some guts when I was younger, but I've never been delusional.

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Posted by: MarcoLostSomething (Oct 25, 2017 05:11AM)

[quote]On Oct 24, 2017, AMcD wrote:
@Marco.

A cutting machine. Hahaha. Just imagine bringing a tool around the card tables... I had some guts when I was younger, but I've never been delusional. [/quote]

Ho, Ho, Ho, Arnold. No one is that good. It has to be trick photography.

Wait a minute. It isn't trick photography. You really are that good!

I do have one request though. I am ever hopeful to some day see your signature move, the AMcD "Big Mac" Zarro Shuffle, talked about in card table circles in "hushed tones." Any chance of seeing that soon?

Failing that, can we at least see your Greek (or geek) Bottom where you deal the cut card under fire? :rolleyes:

In the meantime, nice work as usual on the seconds, thirds and fourths.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Nov 24, 2017 03:51PM)

Okay, I think I have figured it out. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I believe the secret to you sleight of hand ability lies in the rings you wear.

The ancient or astrological symbols have something to do with it.

It is almost mystical - but a little unfair... using arcane symbolic rings so your moves make the rest of us look bad.

Not fair I say...Not Fair.

I know, you will probably try to mislead us and say it is dedicated, correct practice that enables you to achieve these results.

Be serious. Practice??? That is hard work. Besides, who practices nowadays when all one needs are those AMcD magical finger rings?

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Posted by: AMcD (Nov 24, 2017 10:20PM)

Me doing a Zarrow, well, well, well...

I practised the Greek Deal some time ago, but as it was not really useful (and dangerous :-)!), I gave it up.

Note that this video is mostly a demo, I'm not really "dealing" cards. I can really deal 2nds and 3rds, sailing the cards and all, but 4ths... it's another ball game!

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Posted by: MarcoLostSomething (Nov 26, 2017 04:37AM)

I once practised it and recorded it, but it was a modest attempt. The energy spent on pushing the card(s) to control the pressure was visible.
I mainly use Marlo's technique with a little subtlety of mine to keep the block in place during the pushoff, but I struggled a bit in switching the number.
Anyway it's about sharing right? Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9g8H_PR53o

The coolest part about it is that I gave the credits, not something you see quite often nowadays.

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Posted by: AMcD (Nov 26, 2017 08:43AM)

Marlo's technique is not good. But there is almost nothing in print about dealing 3rds, 4ths, etc. That's why I had to find some "solution".

About this demo, it's more a knack than anything else. With practice you can also deal a 5th, a 6th and even a 7th. When I'll have time, I'll post a version up to 5th.

Crediting? What's the point? We now have the young generation, Ben Earl, Dan Madison, etc., who have invented everything.

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Posted by: MarcoLostSomething (Nov 26, 2017 09:33AM)

Indeed there isn't much around of these deals, it looked to me the only viable thing. It's okay for the deal, but it's the get ready that has a non negligible delay prior the deal.

About crediting... you might think I've done it out of respect, but in reality I'm about to write Marco x AMcD, where I will describe your STRIKE second deal.
Mwahah.
And the Zarrow shuffle.
:D

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Nov 26, 2017 10:39AM)

Is there any practical or rational reason for being able to deal thirds, fourths...tenths, etc. except for a demonstration of digital prowess? Has all the money made over the last 100 plus years with a simple second deal been a fluke?

Would not the time spent mastering such "jugglery" be better spent learning how to deal something valuable - like Cagliostro's undetectable, upside down, reverse spinning center deal?

Now you would really have something to demo at magician meetings, drunken frat parties and on YouTube. Heck, you might even be able to get a few free drinks with that ability - an added advantage to mastery.

@Marcolostsomething: Thanks also for posting your 2nds, 3rdds and 4ths. It's fun that people post stuff. I don't post a lot so I guess saying thanks is the least we should do.

Bests,

Slim

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Nov 26, 2017 05:26PM)

[quote]On Nov 26, 2017, slim23 wrote:

...It's fun that people post stuff. I don't post a lot so I guess saying thanks is the least we should do. [/quote]

There is a cure for that...simply post more. It is not really all that painful and with the wealth of knowledge you posses, we could all benefit.

Plus, we are very democratic here so being a French Canadian is not considered to be a negative...well, I can't speak for the French members??? :eek:

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Posted by: AMcD (Nov 26, 2017 05:49PM)

French Canadians are welcome. Scantily clad Las Vegans (female please) as well. Cag, you're not a pole dancer are you?

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Posted by: AMcD (Nov 28, 2017 05:30PM)

This one is for Cagliostro.

Note that it's been done in 5-6 minutes only. It's very crude and over-exaggerated, point was to do a funny video as well. But trust me, it would take not much extra-time to turn it into something professional. In fact I would have to blend a few frames more properly and you would see nothing.

Yes, unfortunately, videos are nowadays editable and can give easy credit to people who have 0 skills...

By the way, as less and less people are reading the Gambling Spot, I suggest that you join me on Facebook where, let's say it, we have a lot of fun. Okay, I'm pretty choosy about who I accept for friend, but well, try your chance!

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Posted by: AMcD (Dec 28, 2017 08:35PM)

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC1vECOtHWk

Dedicated to some of you.

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Posted by: TH10111 (Dec 28, 2017 11:21PM)

Impressive!
Not only the smoothness and accuracy of the stacking, but also the lack of hesitation when those random numbers are generated for the various hold'em scenarios!
Thanks for sharing :)

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Posted by: AMcD (Dec 29, 2017 09:40AM)

Thanks Tom!

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Posted by: chappy (Dec 29, 2017 02:07PM)

Tremendous work Arnold, many hours spent developing that level of accuracy! Thanks for sharing the clip.

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Posted by: tegib (Dec 29, 2017 02:25PM)

Very impressive demonstration. Thanks for sharing.

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Posted by: jjsanvert (Dec 30, 2017 03:51AM)

Cag, does that work in casino?
(Just kidding)

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Posted by: JFX (Dec 31, 2017 10:52AM)

Very nice demonstration Arnold! Thanks a lot for sharing.

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Posted by: slim23 (Dec 31, 2017 11:56AM)

Thanks Arnold!

And Happy New Year!

Slim

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Posted by: Maxwell Pritchard (Jan 4, 2018 09:04AM)

Wow, that was great, Arnold, thanks!

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Posted by: AMcD (Mar 21, 2018 10:42AM)

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a42sM9QO5fI&t=18s

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Posted by: Mr. Bones (Mar 21, 2018 01:13PM)

That's some beautiful work Arnold!

I'm assuming those numbers are generated randomly, and you're adjusting on the fly? (not that it even matters, it's still [i]excellent[/i] control).

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Posted by: TH10111 (Mar 21, 2018 04:53PM)

Nice work as always Arnold :)

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Posted by: AMcD (Mar 21, 2018 09:26PM)

Hi Silver!

Yes, the numbers are picked randomly, from 1 to 5. Then I hold back from 2 to 10 cards... and split that slug in 1/1, 2/2, ..., 5/5 in order to stack the two cards perfectly! It's mainly for fun, as holding back 10 cards consistently is very difficult. Well, at least for me.

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Posted by: Gamblingman007 (Mar 28, 2018 06:10PM)

Wow this guy Arnold is absolutely phenomenal. Even though he’s not the best I’ve seen, he sure run a close 2nd place. Excellent work, excellent. That Jason Ladayne guy is pretty good as well.

I might be wrong for saying this and please correct me if I’m wrong. The only drawback to this move that I see is the gathering of the three cards constantly during actual play. How would you or y’all guys accomplish this in a real game with eyes periodically checking out your deal?

The Gamblingman007

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Mar 31, 2018 05:06PM)

I will move my response to this post by Gamblingman007 above to a new thread to not detract from Arnold's video legacy series.

The new thread is [i]Detecting and Preventing Riffle Stacking[/i].

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Posted by: AMcD (Apr 11, 2018 08:23AM)

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZcO7Obvl6I

I did that video a few weeks ago for comparison purposes with a guy claiming he has he perfect bottom deal, in "The Workers" section of the Magic Café. The one I demonstrate here is far from being perfect, but I think it's way better than his though.

You always perform nicely AMcD. In fact, I can visualize future generations, 100-200 years from now, reveling in your demos after all other demonstrators have been long forgotten.

But...

Is there any chance of seeing a demo of your highly coveted Greek bottom deal? Surely that cannot be a useless technique. In fact, it is the only way to deal a bottom nowadays because of the common use of a cut card.

I know your are not going to demo your Zarro Shuffle as you want to keep that under wraps ... but a "Greek bottom" (no pun intended), would be a nice addition to your legacy.

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Posted by: AMcD (Apr 24, 2018 10:47AM)

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6O8r85GgR0

That one is from dinosaur's time, but it's fun to do it.

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Posted by: Yowie_ (Apr 25, 2018 08:53AM)

Nice shifting there, sir. I played with it for a few min and found it possible to use the top card of bottom half as a cover for the replacement. Then you can slow it down a bit. Not that that matters for borderless cards :)

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Posted by: Marko Ragnos (Apr 30, 2018 07:18AM)

Wow! It's amazing!

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Posted by: liamwilson1125 (May 23, 2018 05:27AM)

I did look at some moves performing by Arnold from his site, his Facebook and elsewhere (sorry for my bad memory). His hands are so stunning, especially for Riffle Stacking and Bottom Deal. He does not move any fingers from the holding hand when doing the deal, absolutely amazing.

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Posted by: AMcD (May 23, 2018 11:09PM)

Thanks for the good words. Here's another one for you. A bit difficult this time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnlkNSUMBpo

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Posted by: liamwilson1125 (May 24, 2018 11:57PM)

[quote]On May 23, 2018, AMcD wrote:
Thanks for the good words. Here's another one for you. A bit difficult this time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnlkNSUMBpo [/quote]

That's magic to me haha

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Posted by: Mr. Bones (May 25, 2018 08:57AM)

I'm thick as a brick Arnold ... it took me until 2:34 in your video before I realized what you were doing!
I was even screwing around with my sound thinking I was missing something or someone calling out the numbers :)

Very nice work, your hold-backs are seamless.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (May 25, 2018 10:54AM)

Nice manipulative demo of holding back cards with the riffle with no discernable hesitation. You are truly a master.

I tried this myself and got up to holding back 1 card, and sometimes 2 cards, although I miss a lot and hesitate too much at the top of the shuffle as I block off the cards.

A friend of mine told me that any three-year-old can master this move with 20 years of practice. Unfortunately, I am no longer three years old so that creates some problems. However, to lessen my concern my friend offered to buy me a free Starbucks coffee if I can master holding back 1 and 2 cards with at least 40% accuracy.

I'm working on it but I think my fingers are getting in the way. :rolleyes:

Nice work Arnold.

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Posted by: AMcD (May 25, 2018 11:13AM)

Thanks guys.

There are three big concerns with card stacking:

* Holding back cards. From 4-5, it becomes a problem. If you follow my rants on Facebook, I made many posts about accuracy, speed, etc. If you want, I'll post a couple of videos here.

* Consistency. You need not to miss. When you play for money, you don't stack 250 hands per game, just a few. If you miss it when all is set up, your money is gone. And your partners may not like it.

* Rhythm. You must use a smooth rhythm. It's better to be slow and have a smooth rhythm than be fast and stop, hesitate, etc.

The demo on the video above is very difficult to do. Well, at least, for me. Holding back randomly from 1 to 10 cards is certainly not something I learned overnight. As nobody has never demonstrated such a thing, I thought you would like it. I think that the most interesting point is to show one or two dozens of stacks in a row, proving consistency. To me, the most important thing in card stacking.

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Posted by: ssibal (May 25, 2018 03:45PM)

Very nice work.

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Posted by: AMcD (Jun 11, 2018 07:40AM)

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-sUe9-nKwE

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Posted by: Claudio (Jun 13, 2018 09:06AM)

Smashing!

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Posted by: AMcD (Jul 26, 2018 07:07AM)

Https://youtu.be/y3MdcOXD_1U

That one is hard. Plastic cards, especially brand new ones, are tough to manipulate.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Jul 26, 2018 08:40AM)

Nice work Arnold. I can't do that. (But then again, I never had to.)

See, I told you. Plastics are easier to work with than paper cards and your moves looks much better with plastics. :D

Work a little more with them and you will never go back to paper cards again. :wavey:

@AMcD: For the sake of discussion, under what instances would you find this move practical in a real game.

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Posted by: AMcD (Aug 2, 2018 10:49AM)

It's the fastest and easiest way to stack two cards. Keep two good cards on top of the deck while shuffling and cutting, and just third-deal and second deal those cards to yourself.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Aug 2, 2018 09:53PM)

[quote]On Aug 2, 2018, AMcD wrote:
It's the fastest and easiest way to stack two cards. Keep two good cards on top of the deck while shuffling and cutting, and just third-deal and second deal those cards to yourself. [/quote]

Yes, in theory I agree with that observation but...

But do you honestly feel this is realistically viable in a money game with [i]observant[/i] players?

It seems to me the hustler would either have to force or hop the cut, or in the alternative hold out two cards and cap them back on top of the deck after the cut. Then he would have to deal 3rds around a full table, then 2nds around a full table without a miss or slip up anywhere in the procedure, using a "non-pristine" or perhaps somewhat sticky deck that has been in play for a period of time and all this without getting caught?

It seems to me that on a practical level, this might be somewhat problematic at best...and perhaps quite dangerous? There appears to be several areas where this can go wrong, and unhappily so.

But of course, that is just my thought on the subject.

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Posted by: AMcD (Aug 2, 2018 11:02PM)

I said easiest method of stacking because there is virtually nothing to do in terms of stacking :).

But for sure, dealing consecutive 3rds and 2nds can't be considered easy.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Aug 4, 2018 06:08PM)

I would venture to say that anyone who tries this move in a tough money game with reasonably observant players, has to have cojones of steel or a death wish...even if he does the move as skillfully as AMcD. :eek:

It is [i]easier[/i] and [i]much safer[/i] to use a riffle stack. :)

IMO this move is better suited for demos and theoretical discussion rather than for real play. :smiletear:

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Posted by: AMcD (Aug 5, 2018 08:56AM)

Yesterday, for some reasons, I watched a TV Poker show. Only pros there, Farha, Brunson, etc. In 40min, I'm not sure that ONE single player ever paid attention to the dealer when he dealt cards. So...

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Aug 5, 2018 09:23AM)

Well, it only takes [i]one[/i] to pay attention at some point...and they have cameras in actual games.

Might be tough to fool an overhead camera, shooting at different angles and with playback at different speeds, dealing 2nds and 3rds with white bordered cards.

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Posted by: AMcD (Aug 5, 2018 02:38PM)

No, nobody would pay attention to my deals. When I play very expensive games, I plant a poster in the cardroom before the game starts. It distracts all the players, even the security guys. I'm in a good day, I show you the poster.

[img]http://www.arnoldmcdonald.org/temp/ehb.png[/img]

Try it, you can do anything at the card table with it.

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Aug 5, 2018 05:38PM)

I certainly can't top that...the ULTIMATE "shade" move.

Are you sure you really wanted to divulge that incredibly subtle ploy on a public forum like this?

(Maybe tried and true Erdnase aficionados may have to evaluate their concept of SWE based upon this new and previously undisclosed information.)

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Posted by: AMcD (Nov 17, 2018 12:51PM)

A bit of stacking. Not that easy.

https://youtu.be/dxxzGFlyKos

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Nov 17, 2018 02:02PM)

@AMcD: I think I am going to start calling you the Paderewski of Riffle Stacking. No, that doesn't have any gambling connotation or "feel." How about the Unknown Kid...the hush-hush will-o'-the-wisp of the card table.

You could probably preform a concert in Carnegie Hall in New York for a select audience, just using your repertoire of riffle stacking. Everyone who attended would get an autographed brochure of your selection of the various stacks you are going to perform.

Here is a caveat thought: There is an old saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Now I am not saying that all riffle stacking and no play makes Arnold a dull boy... but...forget this 16 hour a day regimen of riffle stacking. Get out and live a little and have some fun.

The is a whole world out there Arnold. :P

Nice work as usual.

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Posted by: AMcD (Nov 17, 2018 02:54PM)

I rarely do over 40 min of practice daily. I think my average is about 30-35 mins. And sometimes, then, 40 or a tad more. People have always been surprised to read that, thinking I practice for hours, but truth is very different.

I have the right tools and the right methods, there is no need to practice for hours. I have never understood that. What matters is GOOD practice, not how many hours you do. In fact, in my inner self, I think that if you need to practice that much it means that you suck...

Thanks for the comment. The Paderewski of Riffle Stacking, that's good :).

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Posted by: Cagliostro (Nov 17, 2018 03:28PM)

Good advice regarding fewer hours of GOOD practice as opposed to many hours of perhaps POOR practice.